Willie Haulstead Interview

One of the biggest questions left, besides William Campbell, is if Michigan will sign an outside receiver. I spoke with Willie Haulstead, a Florida State commit that has been taking visits to see what other schools have to offer. “I originally committed to Florida State because I talked with a lot of their players that told me how it was up there, and I liked their tradition,” Willie said. He told me, “I just wanted to make sure I was making the right decision, and I have always wanted to visit Auburn too, so we’ll see,” when I asked him why he is taking more visits, rather than actually looking for something specific. He took a visit to Michigan and told me how it compared to Florida State, “at Michigan, the atmosphere and all the people were crazy, and Florida State I just like their swagger and tradition.” He’s already 210 pounds, and says his fastest 40 time is a 4.4, but when asked what he brings to the table he told me, “I bring excitement, speed, I have an ability to make plays, I’m just a vocal leader when I’m on the field.” He said that playing early will play a factor in his decision, and both Michigan and Florida State told him he will have that chance. When asked if the possible departure of Bobby Bowden had played into his decision to look around, he told me, “I’m alright with a coaching change, they told me it’s not going to change that much.” The process has also lead him to some new friends, and it seems like that is even a Michigan, Florida State battle. Willie told me, “I’ve been talking mostly with Florida State kids, but also Shavodrick Beaver, Brandin Hawthorne, and Vincent Smith.” Haulstead is not planning on enrolling early, and when asked if there will be an official announcement on his decision he said, “No, I’m going to take everything in, look at all the teams, and make a decision at the end.” So we will all have to wait it out until the end for either his de-commitment, or affirmation of his current choice.

But I think the kid is going to staff down south, probably at FSU. It surprises me, though, that he is going to FSU as a wide receiver - Boldin is the only WR I can remember making an impact from that school in recent memory. Of course, with all the trouble FSU's WRs have been in this year (5 were suspended against BC for fighting), early playing time may be in the cards.